Which stage begins at approximately age 12 in Piaget's theory?

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the stage that begins at approximately age 12 is the Formal Operations stage. This stage is characterized by the development of abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning. Adolescents in this stage can think logically about abstract concepts and are able to systematically plan for the future, solve problems, and consider multiple perspectives. They can also engage in metacognition, which involves thinking about their own thinking processes, allowing for more sophisticated reasoning and problem-solving abilities.

This contrasts with earlier stages, such as the Sensorimotor Stage (which occurs from birth to about age 2), the Pre-operational Stage (ages 2 to 7), and the Concrete Operations Stage (ages 7 to 11), which focus on more concrete and literal thinking, such as understanding physical realities, operational logic with tangible objects, and limited ability to grapple with abstract ideas. The transition to the Formal Operations stage represents a significant cognitive leap as individuals begin to engage with philosophical questions and complex mathematical concepts, marking a crucial developmental milestone in Piaget's framework.